Description
This Pumpkin Dream Cake is a moist and flavorful fall-inspired dessert featuring warm spices and a creamy cinnamon-infused cream cheese frosting. Perfectly spiced without being overpowering, it combines pumpkin puree and a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg in a tender cake base, topped with a rich, smooth frosting that melts in your mouth. Ideal for festive occasions or cozy gatherings.
Ingredients
Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
- 1 3/4 cups brown sugar
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 2 (8-ounce) blocks cream cheese
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick baking spray to ensure the cake doesn’t stick.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, salt, and freshly grated nutmeg. You can add extra spices like allspice or more cinnamon if you desire a stronger spice flavor.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, plain Greek yogurt, and vegetable oil until smooth. Then add the eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition, followed by the vanilla extract.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until combined and no large lumps remain in the batter.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The cake may smell eggy during baking, but rest assured the flavor is perfect once cooled.
- Cool the Cake: Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan to set properly before frosting.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat the softened cream cheese and unsalted butter together until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and cinnamon, beating until well combined. Stir in the vanilla extract to finish the frosting.
- Frost the Cake: Once cooled, spread the cinnamon cream cheese frosting evenly over the cake. For best flavor and texture, refrigerate the cake after frosting and enjoy chilled.
Notes
- You can increase the amount of spices like cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, or allspice if you prefer a spicier cake.
- Ensure the cake is completely cooled before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Store the cake refrigerated due to the cream cheese frosting; it is best served chilled.
- This cake may smell eggy while baking, but the flavor will not be eggy once cooled.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
